Need Some Help, CDJ Noob

yhack

yhack

yhack

Soldato
Joined
6 Jan 2005
Posts
3,633
Location
Cambridge
Hi,

I've been thinking about getting into some turntable mixing for a while, and now I have some extra money it can be done.
I've decided to go the CDJ route because all my music is digital and buying vinyl of what I have would kill my wallet.

I was first thinking of getting one cd deck, maybe the Numark Axis 9 for a little over £200 I've found it for, and connecting my computer to a mixer with that, until I can buy another Axis 9.
I then found the Numark M1 USB Mixer which seems to be good because it has USB input and output, for £80ish.

I'm very interested in scratching, would this mixer be good for that?

Would this setup be good for a complete beginner?
My budget is about £300 for a while, then more at a later date, but I would like to get involved with it as soon as possible. I don't really want to go second hand, but I could if it's worth it.

Thanks in advance for any help,
Paul
 
NuMarks are budget brand CDJs, and scratching is difficult with anything but the higher end Pioneer CDJs, which are £400+ each I'm afraid.
 
As all your music is digital, have you considered getting a DJ MIDI Controller like the M-Audio Torq Xponent? It comes with the Torq software and it's really easy to set up - I used to have one and it was a cool bit of kit. They can be had for £320 which is only a little bit over your budget :)

Linky: http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/TorqXponent.html
 
krooton said:
NuMarks are budget brand CDJs, and scratching is difficult with anything but the higher end Pioneer CDJs, which are £400+ each I'm afraid.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I was thinking of not spending too much and getting this, then in the future buy some Pioneer CDJs. I don't want to spend a lot of money then decide DJing isn't for me.
There's a video here of Axis 9 scratching: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WY13GcuHUg&feature=related
I'm no expert, but it doesn't look too bad.

Do you think it's worth buying these budget ones to try out first?

Kona* said:
As all your music is digital, have you considered getting a DJ MIDI Controller like the M-Audio Torq Xponent? It comes with the Torq software and it's really easy to set up - I used to have one and it was a cool bit of kit. They can be had for £320 which is only a little bit over your budget :)

Linky: http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/TorqXponent.html
Click to expand...
That looks quite nice and I'll look into it, but I would prefer to have CD decks and be able to upgrade it in the future. I'll have more of a look at them now though, thanks :)
 
yhack said:
Yeah, I was thinking of not spending too much and getting this, then in the future buy some Pioneer CDJs. I don't want to spend a lot of money then decide DJing isn't for me.
There's a video here of Axis 9 scratching: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WY13GcuHUg&feature=related
I'm no expert, but it doesn't look too bad.

Do you think it's worth buying these budget ones to try out first?


That looks quite nice and I'll look into it, but I would prefer to have CD decks and be able to upgrade it in the future. I'll have more of a look at them now though, thanks :)
Click to expand...

If you are even remotely interested in scratching then DO NOT even consider the CDJ route. If you absolutely insist on CD decks then the Technics one is by far the best for scratching...not least because it actually has a moving platter.

Unfortunatley there's no cheap way to get into the turntablist side of things. You get exactly what you pay for and with scratching you'll be needing a level of kit that can take abuse...mixer especially. I would recommend a set of 1210's and something like FS, SL or Traktor to use with your digital media. It's not cheap but trust me...when it comes to scratching... the CDJ decks are useless. The platters don't move, they're way too small and to be honest them claiming "scratching" ability is just a gimmick. I believe that much is evident on the video posted. ;)

The acceptable for cutting cd decks are the Technics, Numark and the Vestax ones will do the job. With the Vestax you would still need 1210's and the Tascam sensors...better to just get SL, FS or Tracktor though. ;)

Edit: Just saw your budget. Even with going second hand you'd struggle to get something for that price if I'm being honest. Well...out of what I've mentioned anyway. You'd really need to decide how important scratching is to you.
 
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As above if you plan to stick with it, it's worth spending the extra imo - take it from someone who's been buying kit for 19 years, in the beginning I cheaped out (SLBD22's anyone?) and regretted it.

Currently I use a mix of 1210's/TTX1's and Pioneer1000 MK3's (CDJ's) with a DJM 909 and don't have a problem scratching on any of them but for a beginner I would certainly go the decks route. I'd advise getting a second hand pair of TTX1's for scratching and Mixvibes or one of the other popular programs for your digital. If your dead set on having some kind of Cd turntables, go to a store and try out a few setup's.
 
Thanks for the replies.
Scratching isnt too important if it isnt too good, I just thought it would be pretty cool to try out. Mainly Im interested in mixing DnB, dubstep and some hiphop. I dont think the vinyl+digital route is for me because I own no vinyls.
I will continue to look at decks when I'm not on my phone, thanks for the suggestions.

WWhat mixer do you recommend for less than 100 with usb input/output?

Thanks again
 
You don't need to own vinyl mate, you use special timecoded vinyl that comes with the package to control mp3's/wave via your pc. There's quite a few solutions out there, some better than others. The only one I've used personally is Mixvibes and it works perfectly with a decent soundcard. I know quite a few people that use Serato Scratch live without any problems as well. But, anyway that's all up to you.

Not sure on a mixer for £100 with usb functionality, maybe someone else has some advice on this?
 
yhack said:
Thanks for the replies.
Scratching isnt too important if it isnt too good, I just thought it would be pretty cool to try out. Mainly Im interested in mixing DnB, dubstep and some hiphop. I dont think the vinyl+digital route is for me because I own no vinyls.
I will continue to look at decks when I'm not on my phone, thanks for the suggestions.

WWhat mixer do you recommend for less than 100 with usb input/output?

Thanks again
Click to expand...

I'd still recommend the 1210 route even if you don't plan to buy any vinyl, you can just use the timecode vinyl to play your digital with. Being able to scratch and mix digital formats from real turntables is invaluable. The fact that you'll be playing dnb, dubstep and hip hop lends itself even more to having turntables and the option to learn scratching.

As for the mixer...I'd say to go with something like a second hand Vestax 05,06,07,08pro or something. They really can take a beating and with them being so popular there's always some to be had at bargain prices. I'm just curious as to why you want one with a USB port?
 
Oh, I didn't realise you could use a timecode vinyl. I think I'll get that then, it seems a better option. I was interested in CD mixers because I could just burn a cd and play it, and if I wanted to go to a different location then I wouldn't have to carry a desktop around as well as turntables.

I was interested in USB so I could connect it straight to my computer, but I guess I could get some cables to connect to the soundcard. Wasn't thinking properly :)

So with the 1210 route, what would I need to buy, so I don't miss anything?
And how much do you think it would cost?

2x Technics 1210 (~£100 each?)
Mixer (£100?)
Mixvibes/Serato Scratch Live (I would need extra hardware for this right? How much would that be?)
Timecode vinyl
 
yhack said:
Oh, I didn't realise you could use a timecode vinyl. I think I'll get that then, it seems a better option. I was interested in CD mixers because I could just burn a cd and play it, and if I wanted to go to a different location then I wouldn't have to carry a desktop around as well as turntables.

I was interested in USB so I could connect it straight to my computer, but I guess I could get some cables to connect to the soundcard. Wasn't thinking properly :)

So with the 1210 route, what would I need to buy, so I don't miss anything?
And how much do you think it would cost?

2x Technics 1210 (~£100 each?)
Mixer (£100?)
Mixvibes/Serato Scratch Live (I would need extra hardware for this right? How much would that be?)
Timecode vinyl
Click to expand...


You'd be doing well to get a 1210 for 100. I'd guess you'd be looking at around 180, sh, realistically. Scour the bay and local pawn shops...they see a lot of turntables usually.

For the mixer...at 100 I'd say you'd be able to get a Vestax 05 or 06 pro. May need to stretch to 150 though.

Scratch live is the most popular so the prices for that are still at quite a premium. You could however get the original Final Scratch for around 100 though. There is better now although I've used it for a while and it's perfectly good and totally up to the job. You will usually get the timcode vinyls for this although they're only £10 each to buy new anyway.
 
There's Mixmesiter software which has been mentioned above that is free, However you will need to a 4in/4out soundcard and the timecoded vinyl for about a tenner a pop.
 
DJ_Switch said:
You'd be doing well to get a 1210 for 100. I'd guess you'd be looking at around 180, sh, realistically. Scour the bay and local pawn shops...they see a lot of turntables usually.
Click to expand...
Yeah ebay has quite a lot, there seems to be a few selling 2 for £250ish.

DJ_Switch said:
For the mixer...at 100 I'd say you'd be able to get a Vestax 05 or 06 pro. May need to stretch to 150 though.
Click to expand...
The Vestax PMC 06, or a different one?

DJ_Switch said:
Scratch live is the most popular so the prices for that are still at quite a premium. You could however get the original Final Scratch for around 100 though. There is better now although I've used it for a while and it's perfectly good and totally up to the job. You will usually get the timcode vinyls for this although they're only £10 each to buy new anyway.
Click to expand...
I'll take a look at Final Scratch, thanks :)

mrmoose said:
There's Mixmesiter software which has been mentioned above that is free, However you will need to a 4in/4out soundcard and the timecoded vinyl for about a tenner a pop.
Click to expand...
On the website they all seem to cost money.

Would it be a good idea to buy a soundcard rather than the one built into my motherboard? If so, which one do you recommend?
 
Aint read the whole thread but just a reminder, to use more than one output, i.e. speakers AND headphones together you need another sound card. Also, i use Virtual DJ software, its supported by many DJ's, simple to use yet has intricate features that allow you to create your own sound rather just mixing A to B like some other software. It's got loads of effects, skins etc. Also has an awarding beat match system so your mixes will never come out of sync. It does cost a lot but i just downloaded mine off a naughty site.
 
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DJ Switch: I'\ve got the original Final Scratch v1, and it works well and I like it.

What are the advantages of these newer kits like Serato and Torque? Are they very different? Also, are you the same switch who does all those remixes which have someone saying "switch" in just incase you forgot who produced the remix? :p
 
MikeHunt79 said:
DJ Switch: I'\ve got the original Final Scratch v1, and it works well and I like it.

What are the advantages of these newer kits like Serato and Torque? Are they very different? Also, are you the same switch who does all those remixes which have someone saying "switch" in just incase you forgot who produced the remix? :p
Click to expand...

I'm the same as you...still using Final Scratch v1. I haven't found reason to upgrade it to be honest. My only slight annoyance with it is a buzzing, almost like it's not earthed. I think that may just be my unit though...it's been through the wars. It's not too noticable until it's plugged into a pa although I've had to do some serious noise reduction on a couple of tracks I've used it on. There's not a huge difference between FS and SL though. It has a nicer UI from what I've seen although nothing that would make me want to spend the extra cash on SL.

On the second note...I can assure you that's not me but I think I know who you mean. It was all fine when I had that name in 91 (before Google was an option) although not so good these days. I only produce a few Scottish and Australian mc's these days so not too bothered about the name although I was pretty annoyed a few years ago when I was still doing it seriously and it was brought to my attention. UK hip hop isn't big enough for that cheek.Haha!

myspace
 
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well since your not dave 'switch' taylor the ginger alchoholic production maestro then are you the UK dmc champion DJ switch ? or more realistically the DJ switch often seen on flyers around newcastle ? too many switches
 
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